TESTIMONIALS
Read Messages From Our Troops and What Others Are Saying About MilVet!
“Greetings All from Chaplain P., here is my long awaited “Thank-you” for the Care Packages and Support. We have been super busy, and it’s taken way longer than anticipated to send upload and send pics to you all for your support. Again, Thank-you for the Christmas Cards we shared with troops and all the care packages.
As a reminder, I am a reservist serving reservists/Nat’l Guard as they mobilize to either go to war, or come home from war. When I’m not at the chapel working, I see most all the troops off and pray with them before they fly into harm’s way. Please keep in mind, the troops I see are here a week to three weeks, that said, I’m more about planting seeds, some other chaplain somewhere else hopefully harvests.
Lastly, my target market here are geographical-bachelors that are provided a bed/stand up wall locker, food from the Cafeteria, and a gym for working out—this is why we host a ton of events and set up the chapel as a “resilience/recreation” area when Religious services aren’t taking place. Some have scoffed at this, as this is a “holy” place…but the need I’m filling for them is alleviation from boredom and a place to hang out, watch movies, play games, etc…I’m a happy camper when my chapel is full of unchurched people who see all the benefits we provide. ”
“Dear MilVet Volunteers,
Thanks so much for the wonderful care package for our Soldiers! They really enjoyed the peanut M&M’s and hygiene products.
You put a smile on some of our Soldiers faces today! It is inspiring to see organizations like MilVet supporting the Military Community. Being far from home can be difficult, and receiving kind notes, cards, and familiar food are comforting.
Thank you for ALL that you do to support our 173rd Airborne Soldiers here in Italy. Take care!”
““On behalf of my section we wanted to say thank you for care packages. It’s always great to get things from home that you don’t see over here. Tell everyone we appreciate the support.””
“Good day Raven Hilden and Team,
I pray all is well. Thank you for showing such kindness and support by shipping us a care package. It is greatly appreciated.
Some of the Soldiers here are asking for french vanilla coffee creamers and jolly rancher candies lol but whatever you send is always well received and greatly appreciated.
We are here for a while so please keep us in your prayers and on your mind.
Thank you for all that you do.”
“Greetings to you & your partners!
I have received another thoughtful care package from your organization, Coupang, and Which Wich Murrieta. I wanted to take a moment to thank all the volunteers and community support members who got together to make these gifts happen. Please pass along my gratitude and well wishes.
Thank you all so very much! Your care and generosity remind us of the grateful nation we are proud to serve!
God Bless!
Sincerely,”
““Happy New Year from Iraq! Thank you for your amazing donation of snacks & hygiene. Our service members greatly appreciate the ‘touch of home.’
Best wishes for 2024””
“Dear MilVet,
Many thanks for your kindness and generosity- the care packages you sent for our Soldiers were greatly appreciated! We are always excited to see what type of yummy items are in the packages. As you know, many of our Soldiers are unaccompanied. Getting some goodies from home really brightens their day!
Please let your Volunteers know that their kindness is felt. We really appreciate that you take the time to support our overseas Soldiers.
Thanks again and warm wishes from your friends in Vicenza, Italy!”
“I’m just dropping a note to say thank you for the very generous package you sent me. It meant a lot to me to receive it! My favorite part was reading the letters and cards from all of the kids. I have shared the information about your organization with those in my division.
Very Respectfully,
”
“Thanks, y'all, SO much for all the awesome care packages we're getting. I hope you're holidays were great, and God bless America!”
-Romania 1/24
“To MilVet,
Thank you for your care packages that found its way to the U.S. Army military camp in Poland. The camp is made up of four units which rotate out after a few months. It is constantly in motion and there are missions coming and going.
On behalf of our AWESOME service members, I am writing to personally let you know how much care packages mean to our troop. It is a touch of HOME, which for many is very, very comforting.
You would be so proud of our troops here! They are smart, kind, resourceful and supportive of each other!
Thank you for your service and continued support.”
“Wanted to let you know about a conversation I had with my soldier last night. He was so touched by the letters from the children, said he was almost in tears. If you can please let them know how much it meant to him I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks again for the great job you are doing.
Happy Holidays!!”
“Once again, we can't thank you enough for your fantastic job, you're amazing, keep up the great work, only blessings to you and yours and everyone with you, and thank you again!” 11/23
“
I wanted to take time to thank all everyone involved in making your organization possible. I received a care package from MilVet just in time for Veterans Day! What a pleasant surprise this was! On behalf of my entire deployed team, we are all very grateful for your time, your passion, and your dedicated generosity. That being said, a few requests have come forward:
• Tide Pods (not for snacking)
• Swiffer Wet Pads (it’s dusty out here)
• Raisinets
• Chic-fil-A Sauce
• Holiday Flavored Coffee
• Natural Brown Coffee filters (#4 size 8-12 cup cone)
• Travel Size body wash
These specific items are frequently used and can be hard to come by.
God Bless!”
“I wanted to reach out and share my sincere gratitude for the care package. It means a lot to me and my team that people are not just thinking of us but actively supporting us through these packages while we are deployed.
Very respectfully,”
“I again would like to thank you for sending me a wonderful care package. It definitely brought up my moral for the past few days. Please give my takes to MaKenna from the Cub Scouts. Please continue on with such a fantastic job you have done to bring up the spirits of myself as well as all those you sent packages to as well.”
“Good morning,
I am so beyond grateful for the care package of yummy gummies that I received. I shared them with my soldiers and they loved them so much. I hope to get another care package of yummy gummies and crackers if you guys have them, my 3 other soldiers were beyond thankful to have some good snacks for to eat. I look forward to receiving another package next month.
Thank you so much”
“TO OUR FRIENDS AND FELLOW PATRIOTS AT MILVET MURRIETA, CA:
A BIG HELLO FROM ALL OF US STATIONED AT MK-AFB ROMANIA:
WE EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS AND GENERIOSITY. THE CARE PACKAGES YOU HAVE PROVIDED REPRESENT YOUR APPRECIATION AND RECOGNITION OF THE COMMITMENT OUR SERVICE MEMBER MAKE TO BE PART OF THE U S ARMED FORCES (ARMY-NAVY-AIR FORCE-MARINES AND COAST GUARD) SERVING ACROSS THE GLOBE.
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IS PROUD TO BE PART OF PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES. THE RED CROSS PROVIDES EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION MESSAGING THROUGH THE HERO CARE CENTER, ALONG WITH A VARIETY OF OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT:
YOUR RED CROSS SAF TEAM
MK-AFB ROMAINA”
“Milvet Team,
Thank you so much for the care package that we just received. We appreciate the continued support that we continue to receive while we are deployed. It’s nice to arrive on shift and know there is a snack waiting for us to eat. Our patients that travel through our doors appreciate the goodies as well. We encourage them to take some snacks for their next journey.
Please tell the Storm Baseball Team thank you from us. The personal note from Annalee was so thoughtful. Thank you again for the care package!
”
“To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to thank you for your latest care package. I would also like to thank the Lake Elsinore Storm for their additional gifts, especially the individual known as Lineres (I apologize for the misspelling). For the next care package, snacks and drink mixes would be greatly appreciated.”
“My name is Christiana, I'm the current Red Cross staff for the Army Base here in Poland. I was elated to have received a care package from MilVet on behalf of the over 1300 soldiers that this FOS support. Red Cross runs an open canteen at the base and the care packages go a long way to help restock supplies needed by our soldiers. I'm not sure if this is the first package, we are receiving from your wonderful organization, if it is, please continue to send more. It is well received here and greatly appreciated. I do have to admit, the soldiers really enjoy snacking on beef jerky or jerky sticks. Also, multivitamins are a big hit over here.
Your team is doing amazing works. American Red Cross, along with every soldier here in Poland thank you for your dedication to supporting our US troops.”
-Christiana
8/23
““Dear volunteers of MilVet,
I just wanted to say thank you very much for the care package you send me a few weeks ago. The box full of treats & goodies was very much appreciated & they were thoroughly enjoyed!
I’m grateful for the time & effort you put into putting smiles on our faces!
Thank you!””
“Ms. Raven, as a token of appreciation we would like to present a Red Cross flag to MilVet. This flag was signed by many service members thanking the organization for the wonderful donations at MK Air Base.
Your support is truly making an impact in the lives and really builds the morale of those we serve every day.
June 2023”
“Milvet,
”On behalf of the 379 EMDG/ERPSF, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your donation to our facility and patients. With your donation, we are able to fulfill our mission and provide quality patient care and experiences for those traveling through our facility for a higher echelon of care.
On average, we house over eighty members a month; most of which arriving to us on short notice and without sufficient clothing and hygiene items to last them for the duration of their stay.
With our ever changing world, we have to stay prepared to aide many more then our average. Your donations play a very important role in our preparedness! Thank you again!!!””
“Thank you so much for my package I absolutely love it!! That made my whole deployment so far. Thank you so much again.”
-Monique
Thank You From Romania!
"Thank you ma’am for your support to our Soldiers and families!
AHH BASTOGNE!"
-Burke 6/23
“I want to say Thank You for sending me the care packages. It was full of surprises. I was able to share all the goodies with everyone in my shop. The BX here supplies are low all the time. Your care package kept us happy. Thank you very much for support.”
“I would like to say thank you for my Marine. We spoke on Mother’s day briefly and he and his buddies raved about the boxes he has gotten from your organization. He says that he and his buddies get so excited when a box arrives, they open it up and hand it out to the platoon and put anything left in the common area. They don’t last long but are very appreciated. Your boxes have been a big hit. Thank you so much for your support.”
“I wanted to thank you for the ongoing support throughout my deployment. Your
packages were well received and did not go to waste. I really enjoy the
”thank you” writings as they constantly reminded me of the reason for being
here.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything!”
“I wanted to thank you and your company for supporting the military. Your contributions are very appreciated. I received another package today and as always you did not disappoint. I wanted to let you know that I will be redeploying to my home station very soon and will not require any further packages. I have sent your info to the rest of my flight in case they want to sign up. Again thank you for everything you do and GOD bless!!
”
“I wanted to thank you for sending the care package.
In the package I received, I had a postcard from Pam L. from Murrieta, CA & the Assisteens of Temecula Valley, CA. It was great to read words of encouragement from all of you! It always feels like Christmas receiving packages that are unexpected and a real treat when we are so far from home.
Thank you for thinking of me and my team here in this country. We appreciate your work and loved the snacks.
”
“I recently received a care package from your organization and I wanted to reach out and give my thanks and appreciation! Getting mail on deployment is such a nice reminder of the people who care about us back in the states. It also is always nice to get some good snacks and goodies that I have been missing for many months now. Thanks again for the support!”
““I recently received a package from your service and wanted to thank you for everything you do! I am Melodie and am currently in the country of Bahrain. I would like to request for continued packages. If possible, I would like to request little Debbie snack cakes as well. Thank you for everything you do and have a great day!””
““Greetings Sir or Ma’am from Kuwait. My name is Sgt Le and I just received your care package. Thank you very much. The items really made my day when I opened it.
Big thanks also to Ashley and Greg Hutchinson for packing my box, you guys are angels. Hope to hear from everyone at MilVet soon. God bless!””
“As always, your care packages are a huge hit, all over. Here on this base we
only have a small PX with some of the necessities, but with 5000 troops -
including the Italian air force, as well as French and Romanians - nothing
lasts long on the shelves.
We also have soldiers and chaplains asking for care packages at remote
locations in Poland and Slovakia and elsewhere.
As I may have mentioned, the popular items are little pocket meals and small
cans, microwave-ables, simple ready-made canned food and beef jerky, chips,
pretzels, popcorn, corn nuts and peanuts, sweet stuff like M&Ms - anything that’ll hold over a soldier who missed a meal at the mess hall, really anything like that is a big hit.
They’re living in tents, for the most part, with no kitchen facilities, but there’s usually a microwave oven somewhere nearby.
One sergeant approached me and said there are a handful of soldiers serving
in Slovakia now, and they haven’t been on any lists to receive care packages
- not more than a few dozen soldiers at that location, at least for a little
while longer.
Once again, we can’t thank you enough for your fantastic job, you’re amazing, keep up the great work, only blessings to you and yours and everyone with you, and thank you again!
All the best,
”
"Good evening,
I just want to say Thank you for sending care packages for my husband. He was in Bahrain for an 18month deployment and he finally came home. We really appreciate your support. Milvet is amazing.
Thank you"
Yasuyo W. 3/23
“Just wanted to update you and let you know I received the care package!! Appreciate everything y’all do for soldiers overseas. Have a blessed day.
Respectfully, “
-M. Carranza 2/23
“Thank you MilVet,
The soldiers of the 94th Military Police Battalion and its Unit Ministry Team are more than grateful for your generosity.
It is because of your aid and generosity that we, the Unit Ministry Team, can provide the best morale and spiritual support for our soldiers.
Please feel free to continue your generosity as we continue caring for our soldiers. ”
“Dear Sir or Ma’am,
First of all, thank you for the wonderful care packages you have been sending me during my deployment! It has been such a treat to receive such nice goodies, many of which we cannot find in our European port calls. It’s nice to have things that remind us of home every month, so I’ve truly enjoyed the care packages and the opportunity to share them with the other members onboard the ship. Some of my Sailors do not receive any care packages from home, so the packages from MilVet have meant a lot, especially at Christmas.
Second, thank you for thinking of the ladies when you put these care packages together! Sometimes it feels like folks forget that women serve too. I think these are the first care packages I have received that had items contributed with both women and men in mind.
Finally, I will be heading home to Murrieta. I wanted to give you a heads up since mail takes about a month to get from southern California to my ship.
Thank you for all that you do and the monthly morale boosters that have been so appreciated. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to thank you in person.
Sincerely,”
“Good morning and happy holidays, I would like to start off by saying that 358th CA BDE’s HHC is greatly appreciative of the support that MilVet has provided to the HHC family. MilVet provided lots of gifts, stuffed animals, candy bags for Soldiers’ families. They even brought in from the North Pole a very special guest appearance of Mrs. Claus for photo opportunity and to hand out gifts for the family members.
As the company commander, I was impressed of the extra mile that MilVet has done for our Service members and their families. The event was a huge success, many thanks to the the generous donations and support that MilVet has done in such a short notice. I would definitive reach back to MilVet next year to make the 358th CA BDE HHC Holiday/Family day event that much greater. I will have peace of mind knowing the MilVet is within arms reach for additional Family and Soldier event in the future.
Again Happy Holidays and many thanks to your professional staff of MilVet that supported the 358th CA BDE’ Soldier Family Readiness Group. We are so blessed for your unwavering donations and support that your organization has provided. ”
“Thank you so much for making our kids Christmas happen! They would not have had one without your help.”
“I just want to say thank you for this event, we just got home and my kids were over the moon . You and everyone I hope is blessed . We have been struggling with bills and this helped so much with gifts and even the food.my family appreciation it sooo much! God bless”
“I personally wanted to say thank you for allowing us to attend the Christmas Party. Everything about it was thoughtful, cute and ultimately we enjoyed ourselves. The helpers and characters were super sweet and beyond helpful. I can’t express our gratitude enough. This holiday season has been difficult as it is our first time experiencing it without my husband. He is currently deployed. Thank you again and Happy Holidays.”
"Thank yall so much to all the men and woman of Team MilVet...our deployment is much more better knowing that there is people who support our cause and efforts".
Raul M. 10/22
Another message from across the world from one of our deployed units -
“Thank you for the boxes of snacks and toiletries. Here are a few pics of the service members opening the boxes."
I want to thank you for all you have done for myself, those I work with, and my wife throughout this deployment. You have provided lasting memories and an enduring gratefulness to your organization. The time my unit has left over here is finally coming to an end. I will no longer be requesting any
further care packages from this day forward. I will provide our replacing
unit with your information so they may request support. Thank you again!
v/r” Travis L. 9/22
“
I want to thank you for all you have done for myself, those I work with, and
my wife throughout this deployment. You have provided lasting memories and
an enduring gratefulness to your organization. The time my unit has left
over here is finally coming to an end. I will no longer be requesting any
further care packages from this day forward. I will provide our replacing
unit with your information so they may request support. Thank you again!
v/r”
“This email is a thank you for your continued support of our Sailors onboard the Truman. I received a package today and everything I needed and could want was in there, It made my day.
Thank you so much.”
“My son’s outfit of the 10th Mountain Division I’m sure will be grateful. Attached is their 4th of July photo we received from the Middle East. Their motto- Climb to Glory.” 8/22
““Thank you for the packages they are greatly appreciated. I look forward to receiving each package it makes my day better recieving one and sharing it with others. Have a blessed day.””
“I got your package in the mail today and it really made my day!
There was more than what I needed, so I shared the package with my shipmates. Thank you so much!”
"First of all, I just want to thank you for the care packages. Through those snacks and several items reminds me that are still people and organization who supports our military personal especially in times of deployment. I shared some of those items to my fellow airmen.
After my deployment I want to be part of this organization and be able to give back via time or support.
Please continue to do great work with your organization as it makes a great impact for our veterans.
Thank you.
John Philip" 3/22
"My son is very thankful of all the volunteers who take the time to put together and send care packages. He shares the goodies with his Battle Buddies."
Jesse S. 3/22
“I can’t Thank your organization enough for all of the support you have given the Soldiers that go through the Deployment Processing Center here in Germany.
Any and all of the items make the morale here so much better when your packages arrive.
Thank you very much!
Very Respectfully,
”
“Raven Hilden & Team MilVet,
Mahalo!
On behalf of my crew on the USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG-112), we are incredibly thankful for your care and support for us throughout our deployment. From the snacks and treats to Girl Scout cookies and games, the care packages you provided were a great source of joy and comfort during our 8 month cruise around the globe. Thank you for responding to our need and loving on us!
For most of my crew this was their first deployment. We were separated from loved ones for most major holidays (4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year) and we have a lot of ‘catching up’ to do in the coming months. Our deployment was also a bit more challenging with tightened COVID precautions, which did not allow us to get off the pier in most port visits and actually visit countries to ‘see the world’, as the Navy advertises.
Your gifts came at a needed time, and we are incredibly grateful. Thank you for your support and care for my crew! You have given me tools to care for them, and I appreciate your support. We look forward to rejoining our family in Pearl Harbor who have been patiently waiting for us.
Blessings!”
“Good Afternoon,
I want to thank you whole heartedly for the care packages I have received these past months. My Marines and I absolutely loved them. They made being away from home not so hard. I am coming home from deployment and would like that you please discontinue shipments so you’re able to help support others.
Again, thank you so much, the letters and treats meant the world to us.”
““Wanted to say thank you for everything you guys did today. You made a 7 year old feel very special and I think Santa made a new BFF (as our son wanted to sit and chat with him throughout the event). Your volunteers were all great! Thank you so much for everything you do!””
“Hello. I want to thank you again for putting on the Christmas event for the kids and families last week. We are tremendously blessed and appreciate you and your whole team. Please let them know. God bless you all. Happy holidays!!—
Respectfully,”
"Here's a bit about our team. The core of our section have trained and worked together for the past 1-2 years. We are a very close group of Marines who are augmented but Army, Navy, Air Force and an array of contractors to make a very functional unit. The age and experience varies with many in there first deployment. The shift work, long 12hr days is always something to adjust to and it's important to keep moral especially when deployed over the general holiday season.
Our camp is nice and has the basics required to live. We have laundry, chowhall and good size gym at our primary location. The amenities are great, but the food schedule does get a little routine at times. Especially for those who stay exclusively on camp we sometimes term the camp as a nice "white collard prison.". To break up the time we will play cards and Cornhole on the weekend, along with having a small area to watch movies together.
We also support multiple team location where we often surge people out to. These locations are far more limited and everyone is required to cook, clean and live in there own. It is mixed on who and when people will surge to alternate locations but we are prepared to flex when necessary. The conditions may vary we are often limited to the food we can buy and the quality depends on where you are in the area. In the worst conditions there's the concern of bugs and it's never safe to drink the water. But it is all worth the conditions once we start developing the local communities and it's citizens. We have sorted many projects where we gift packages and help the local people improve their living conditions. We also provide many exchanges that bolster our partners tactical capabilities with stress on things like medical care. Depending on the situation our teams often reach into there own pockets to promptly provide the assistance to our partners.
Conditions or here are always very hot, muggy and wet, after a bit you stay to adjust to the climate. I am an avid runner, we have a small route we can run but that's great to get out and stretch the legs. Unfortunately, the pollution is horrible, people burn trash for fuel (even cook with it) so you are always breathing clouds of fumes. The positive side is the beauty of the areas around us, they have the power to make you forget the unfortunate aspects of the region.
We are excited for your care and interest in our operation and I take it as my personal mission to pass this care to everyone in our section! This really deserves a huge Thank You to your team." 10/21
“Every event that helps veterans, I see Raven and MilVet there! Also having been the recipient of care packages while I was with the Marines as a Corpsman in Vietnam, I love that MilVet sends packages to the troops. MilVet is an awesome supporter of Veterans.”
“MilVet is the Best! Led by Raven and a Team of kind-hearted and spirited volunteers this Military and Veteran support services organization does it all!
From shipping Military care packages to deployed and over-seas stationed personnel, fitness enhancement programs, and job skills enrichment and placement - as well as Holiday toy drives the support is expansive and growing!
MilVet is also there for active duty spousal support. They are an outstanding organization who have touched the lives of tens of thousands. Thank You MilVet, we are proud that you are part of our community and a source of hope for many!”
“Hello, I would like to Thank you, your association and everyone who volunteers with sending care packages to all my military brothers and sisters along with myself. Being away from home especially in the state our world is in and the isolation involved.
Having a care package in the mail and letters of appreciation really can be uplifting. There are other members who don't have everything they need and it's always great to have these boxes available to provide simple things that make a huge difference in our day.
I hope this organization continues get the support it needs to continue with what it does. Once again, thank you for caring and uplifting my spirits and my brothers and sisters around me.
Very Respectfully, MA2 Brandon S.” 7/2021
I want to thank you for all the care packages that your wonderful group has helped send me. It is a time away from home, family, and friends; and these packages bring joy in this time of loneliness.
The cards written by little kids is heartwarming, and is a nice touch. There was a time when MilVet thought I was a female and I received women items but I was thankful either way (and so were the people I gave them to).
For someone who doesn’t like to ask for items it is nice to feel appreciated. Thank you again for everything you do.
MA2 Rios, M. III
7/2021
I would like to Thank the MilVet Non-profit organization for putting together special boxes of treats, snacks, presents and cards for my husband CTTC Jason Mumford who was deployed on the USS San Diego LPD-22 for 9 1/2 months. I was so happy and excited when I found a flyer that I picked up at Community Event in Murrieta in 2019 and was able to register Jason in November 2020 to receive these wonderful boxes from MilVet. He was so excited when he received his first box -for Christmas with treats, snacks, a present and he loved reading the cards wishing him a Merry Christmas & thanking him for his service in the Navy. It made Jason smile when this was the first Christmas we missed together in 16 years as a Navy family and that was hard on both of us. He was so thankful for all the other special boxes during his long Navy Deployment. I'm so grateful for MilVet Non-profit organization and the volunteers that meet every month packing these special boxes for my husband Jason and other Military men & women deployed around the world. Also thank you to MilVet Non-profit for helping me in May to get to Jason's Navy Homecoming in San Diego. I was so excited to get my first warm hug & sweet kisses from my husband Jason on the pier after he was deployed 9 1/2 months on the USS SAN Diego LPD-22 navy ship to the other side of the world.
Thank you so much.
-Kimberly Ann Mumford
Navy Spouse & Penn State Alumni
"Milvet and partners,
I just received the Care Package your organization sent! I appreciate all the thought and care put into the box.
The father’s day card meant a lot to me as this is my first deployment being away from my daughter. The snacks and toiletries will come in clutch. Thank you again and have a wonderful day.
V/R
MMN1 M, Adam - USS Carl Vinson CVN70" 6/21
“Greetings from Okinawa!
Just wanted to reach out and express my thanks to the MilVet Team for sending such wonderful care packages! I’ve received two and they always put a smile on my face and bring a little taste of home to Japan! I shared your services with a few Marines in my shop and one just received her first package this week; she loved it! Thank you again for your generosity; it is greatly appreciated!
Semper Fidelis,”
“ I would like to thank you for all your care packages that you and your organization have sent to me and my team mates over the past several months. It was always a good day when me and my team got to share the snacks and goodies that were sent. However, I will be returning from my deployment. Once again, we all appreciate your support it gave us all a small piece of home. Thank you again
Very Respectfully,”
“I cannot thank enough MilVet for helping me. For years I have been battling with my health from various back surgeries & other issues that are service connected. Financially I cannot afford a private gym or trainer. I’m truly blessed for the Gym Scholarship at Progressive Gym. In only a month I’m seeing a change in my mobility and strength. I feel alive & lost a few pounds already. The love & dedication I receive from the trainers are awesome. For Memorial Day I was able to finish a modified Murph Challenge with my kids. Thank you again MilVet & all those who contribute through donations & volunteering. May God Keep Blessing All Of You. ”
“What you all do is so inspiring to others and sends a powerful message to those who can’t be at home: they are not alone, not forgotten. It also sends that same message to those who are left behind to transition into a different way of “doing life” until their loved one is home.
It lets them know others are thinking of their loved one as well, sending greeting and thoughts of support. Once again I am so truly grateful, and thank you for your prayers, they are much appreciated. ”
“Raven,
I wanted to thank you and the community partners who sent me a care package. There are some wonderful items that are greatly appreciated by the team. I will redeploy in three months, so there is no need to send another package to me.
In my place with be, LCDR Ebony R. If possible, I would like to ensure she is added to your list.
Very Respectfully,
”
“Good evening,
I just received a care package in the mail today from your team, and wanted to send a sincere thank you for the wonderful surprise this was to me. The support and encouragement is wonderful and definitely helped lift my spirits. In the package, was the letter from the CEO with information about the program and a request to email back and let you know an approximate return date to be able to discontinue the shipments.
Myself, and Byron M., are both here at the same location, and will both have a very similar return date. To help with your planning, I would like to request the shipments are discontinued after the month of June for the both of us.
Thank you again for this awesome operation. The personal notes included in the package were a great touch and go a long way. Have a wonderful day!
Best regards,
”
“Good Afternoon,
Thank you for sending us the care packages to Camp Lemonnier. We are very grateful you all took the time to send us such nice snacks, socks, and coffee. We shared the items with other offices as well as we have received an influx of packages. You all are appreciated!”
“We want to Thank you and your helpers for all the wonderful care packages. This deployment was extra hard due to the Covid restrictions and your support really helped us get through it !!!
Many, many thanks to a wonderful lady, Raven Hilden and MilVet.”
“Dear Raven,
My Marines have gotten a few of the packages today. Waiting for the rest of the packages to come in on the next RAS. My Marines want me to thank you and to tell you they are very happy with the care packages.
Still no date on when we will be going home. Right now we have been at sea for a little over 300+ days.
Thank you again for everything you do for all the troops who are far away from home. Keep up the good work.
”
““Good morning, Team MilVet -
I have concluded my lengthy tours of duty and want to thank you all for the effort and resources put into supporting care packages for me and others deployed.
It was always fun to get a box of surprises and to know we had the support of our countrymen and communities.
May God bless your continued service to our military and their families.
Thank you and very respectfully,””
““We finally got the Christmas Care Package. It seems that there are always items that someone here really needs!! You are all AWESOME!!
VMF 122 really appreciates the love!!
Thank You,””
“Thank you all so much for helping my son and I in a time of need during this special time of the year you guys rock!! Raven Leigh Hilden you are our angel from above!”
“Dear Raven,
I really love the presents . My fav was the candy. Thank you a lot for all your supporting my dad. Please say thanks to everybody and send the Christmas spirit. Also, I love the rolling polar bear. Thank to the deep down of my heart. “
”Dear Raven,
I loved the nice gifts you sent me. I most loved the two ball maze. It was very hard to get them both in the center. Thank you for everything your the best. And we can’t forget all the candy thanks. “”
Every December students at Tahquitz High School in Hemet create ornaments for our deployed men and women overseas to help bring extra holiday cheer. April Estoch does such an amazing job with them and each one comes with a message. This picture is just a couple of our recipients this year who expressed their appreciation for the Christmas Cheer. Their care packages also had snacks, hygiene items and dozens of Christmas cards. Seems that the personalized stuff is always the best.
“Johnny was so excited and it was the first time I saw him look happy and more like the Johnny we know and the glow in his face was great. You made his Christmas Merry. There’s nothing greater than a child opening presents that he thought would never happen this year. Blessings to all that supported him.
”
“Hi Raven,
Thanks for the care package!! Please thank the Morkis Family and Joyce Wynants for the nice poem on the magnet. I put it on one of our metal filing cabinets. We ate up the candy. Never saw such happy marines. LOL.
I put the Milvet email on the white board so our marines can email you.
Thank you so much. It is very much appreciated!!”
“Santa stopped by our home today and tonight with several gifts provided by Team MilVet and the volunteers at Good Samaritan Community Food Pantry. My family and I would like to express our deep appreciation for the thoughtfulness and caring shown during these difficult times. We are truly grateful aand thankful that we live in a community that takes the time to care for those of us that are struggling. We are indeed blessed, thank you! Also, thank you for the lovely ornament. ”
““Dear Raven Hilden and Team Mil Vet,
The USO at the Deployment Processing Center has received your care packages. We thank you for your generosity! Care packages from home really help to boost the morale of our troops, especially at this time of the year. It is important for our soldiers to know that people back home are thinking of them. Your donations help to make the quarantine period much more comfortable.
Thanks Again!””
Read What Others Are Saying About MilVet (previously Valley Resource Center)!
“Blessed Valley Resource Center,
Blessings and immense gratitude from Iraq! While COVID hasn’t made our daily missions too much more difficult than they already were, your boxes certainly fill the gaps with ever more importance and necessity today. I can only imagine how tough things are there at home - we don’t get much news but it’s clear that it is difficult. Thank you for continuing to remember us... your charity and kindness are overwhelming, truly. May the God of our Fathers who brought us to this moment, bring us through this moment successfully for all in need. This community servant,”
“We are so grateful for the van full of donations from Raven at MilVet.
Every box was a surprise of much needed items for our pantry.
MilVet donates every month and we truly appreciate how kind and easy they are to work with. ”
“Hi there Raven,
Thank you so much for supplying care packages to myself and my colleagues. We are so thankful for all your support and care. You and your team are true patriots. Our deployments, and our separation from family, are just a little easier because of all you.
Also, I would like to let you know that my deployment is now over and I am now back with my family. You can remove me from the list.
Again, thank you so much!
”
“I just wanted to say thank you for blessing my daughter and I with all the beautiful cloths your organization provided for my daughter. Amazing... Praise God for His grace, mercy and love!!💕🙏🏽💕
I cannot stop praising God!! 😥
The young woman who delivered the cloths was so precious and beautiful. Her spirit and love when she and her little boy came to our door was
God sent!! 😇
Through this time in our lives with Covid-19, can not stop God blessings to us and all the other families your organization has blessed us through your love and kindness. God always provides and He is always in control of everything regardless of what is happening around the world. 🌈🧡🙏🏽
Thank you again and I thank God for Traci Williams from SMART Moms who connected me with you and your organization. 🌺
May God grace and mercy be with you all, in Jesus precious name!!
Sincerely from the bottom of our hearts ❤️ ”
““Hello, Raven:
Once more, our team is in your debt! We received today your box of treats, including the Girl Scout cookies from Troop 873.
Please express our gratitude to ALL of your partners who participated and especially the Girl Scouts!
Respectfully,”
USS Bonhomme Richard
“I just want to say thank you and what a blessing it has been to find you! Thank you so much for everything you have done to support our Sailors on the USS Bonhomme Richard. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!”
-Erica C. - Military spouse
7/14/2020
“All,
The FWD DET 202ND MI BN thanks you all for your support during this pandemic! We received the care package today, and wanted to make sure we took the time to express how grateful we are. We cannot thank you enough!
ＢＥＳＴ ＷＩＳＨＥＳ ＦＲＯＭ ＫＵＷＡＩＴ”
— Yve 6/2020
“We salute you for your efforts in serving our simple needs. Our Marines love the snacks and personal necessities.”
— Earl J. 4/13/20
““When you get back from walking your dog’s in the evening and this is on your front porch, you gasp and tears well up because daily our faith in humanity is restored, and wow!! I said we needed treats for our Operation Temecula Food Drive, I just put it out there and well this happened, see below! THANK YOU Valley Resource Center for sharing and taking the time to drop off all these awesome items, what a treat for our seniors/elderly and family’s in need! God Bless You!!! You’re doing amazing things with Adopt A Troop care packages, senior technology, just everything you do!! You Rock!!! Here is a picture so you can all feel the happiness I felt! Operation Temecula Food Drive front door drop off to seniors/elderly and family’s in need 12 weeks and going strong because of this community! Peace!!””
“ First thing’s first, it is much appreciated. I’ve had a lot of care packages come my way through the years, but this one was one of the best! Protein is always in high demand while away from the comforts and accessibility of home.” “Again, thank you for the wonderful package, the thought to send it, and most of all-your continued support. We’ll keep getting after it out here in thanks of all that our country and patriots like you do for us.”
V/R”
“Dear Raven:
We are once more in your debt as we received today your latest care package
that was stuffed to the brim with plenty of treats, from meat snacks to
protein bars, from Tootsie Rolls and Cookie Bites to hygiene products.
Much appreciated!
Thank you again for thinking of us and for your generosity, especially in
these extraordinary times when everyone is in need of additional attention
and care.
Best regards,”
“Good afternoon Raven,
I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know I received the donations from Heather. She was so kind to drop them off at my home since I am teleworking do to the COVID-19. I can assure you those families in need will greatly appreciate the donations you have provided, especially during this time of need and all that we are going through especially our families whose service members are deployed.
Thank you for all you do to support our Veterans, Service Members and Families!!
Respectfully,”
“Ms. Hilden,
I am Air Traffic Control Chief Petty Officer Raymond N. All 13 of us received an individual care package from your organization yesterday and we all just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you. Most of my Sailors are away from the States and their families for the first time. It was a great surprise as none of us were expecting it. My guys really enjoyed the hand written letters and pictures drawn by the students. The snacks and toiletries were enjoyed and needed as well. Days can get long and this unexpected gift can really brighten a Sailor or Marines day/week.
Thank you again for the kind gesture, your organization is doing a great thing. Thank you for your time.
Very Respectfully,”
““
Every time I turn around it seems the Valley Resource Center is stepping up to help people in our communities..from military and their families, to moms in need to seniors needing help with technology. Raven is a wonderful individual who works tirelessly to make this world a better place. We are so fortunate to have her leadership in this Valley!”
“Great help and support during this time of need! Thank you so much!”
“Dear Ms. Hilden,
I wish to thank you for your kind and thoughtful care package gift. I
especially like the toiletries and snacks. But especially the handwritten
letters of support. These provide comfort and are a constant reminder of
home.
God Bless - Hooyah!”
“Dear Raven:
We are in receipt of your thoughtful care package and are most appreciative for the snacks and personal hygiene products—as well as the cards and notes—that were included.
Please pass along my entire team’s thanks for the men and women of the Valley Resource Center and your community partners. Thanks again, to Commander Nico Melendez for passing along our contact information.
Wishing you all the best.
Respectfully,”
“Mrs. Hilden,
I just wanted to let you know that a care package mailed by your organization made its way to Marines posted aboard Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. The Marines here appreciate your thoughtfulness and support.
Very Respectfully and Semper Fidelis,”
“A great organization that cares about their community around them! Raven is doing great work!!!”
“My son MASN Luke Cherkes stationed in Bahrain received a care package! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support of our troops! Thank you! Blessings~”
““What an awesome organization! I can’t say enough great things about it. My daughter has a military boyfriend and while he was on his first deployment ever with the Marine Corps in Kuwait, my daughter and I were able to send him monthly care packages to let him know that we care thru the Valley Resource Center. Those packages meant so much to him and now that he is home, he is grateful for the kindness of others and those packages that were sent.””
““Dear Raven:
We are in receipt of your very thoughtful care package here at Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and I have shared the contents—the snacks, magazine, hygiene items and the like—with the team. I have also shared the cards and notes, which serve as a good reminder of why we’re out here.
I am most appreciative of my shipmate, Nico Melendez, who provided you with my name. Nico knows better than most what it means to serve downrange, so, his thinking of us during this deployment is extra-special.
Please do share our appreciation with everyone on your team who participated and/or contributed.
Thank you for what YOU do for those of us far from home.
On behalf of the entire team,
Very respectfully,”
“Good afternoon Sir/ Ma’am,
My name is Lynard and I am one of the sailors that you have sent numerous care packages to. Thank you so much, it was much needed and appreciated. My shipmates here loved it and it lifted our spirits as we received them. Now that I am done with deployment may I request that the care packages gets sent to other fellow sailors that are now being deployed. This is my friend’s address and she is now deployed:
Thank you so much again for all the love and support. God Bless.
”
“Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy New Year!!!
I want to thank everyone involved with Valley Resource Center care package project.
The packages I have received from you have been amazing.
I can tell there was a lot of effort and care put into them from all of you. I appreciate everything you have done.
I am over in Africa for a full year. My wife is back at home taking care of everything there. Let me tell you, there is a ton of stuff for her to do. We do foster care and that keeps mom hopping quite a bit. It also helps with the time to fly by until I get back home.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a safe and great New Year!!
Thank you once again.”
— Clifford 12/19
“Thank you again for the care package. The Christmas cards are right on time. I’ve included a picture of my unit First Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant and myself as a way to show our appreciation for what you all are doing. Our deployment is ending soon so I we will not require any more packages to be sent out here. Happy Holidays to you and the crew! Thank you again.”
— Anthony 12/19
“Thank you in behalf of my Shipmates and the crew here at USS - . I apologize for the delayed response, but we are kept busy out here. We have received your care package with great gratitude. I have shared with the rest of my work center and they have been very thankful and appreciative of the items. It came in a timely manner since we recently found out that we are going to be out here holding the watch a little longer than projected.
The toiletries, such as, shampoo, lotion and toothpaste was badly needed. We were running low in our division. Thank you for sending those items; you guys are a life saver. The beef jerky was gone in a few days. Laundry detergent and dryer sheets are also starting to get low soon. Mostly the guy’s here likes jerky, anything with peanut butter, (Cliff bars), Peanut M&M’s, Reese’s is always welcome, except that chocolates usually don’t make the trip and melts. To be honest anything you are able to send is more than appreciated. It will be well received. We are just happy to know that people out there are caring and supporting us, thank you!
Thank you for the notes also! It is very uplifting and see families and kids caring and supporting us way out here. It is an encouragement to know that you guys have our back at home and over here. Thank you so much.
Thank you for the Kysters (Keysters) Family, for Isabela and her Reece’s Peanut butter and ramen, for Dylan, and for the Beck family for the needed prayers and awesome drawing that I now keep in my shop.
I would also like to take this time to thank other partners and organization that made this possible: Thank you to Progressive Health & Performance (Murrieta), CarMax (Murrieta), Murrieta Gardens Senior Living, Bucket of Savings, and Catholic Families for Charity. This is a big boost of morale for us. Thank you again and have a nice day.”
“I just want you to know how much you mean to our city. Thank you for being so dedicated to our military personnel both active and retired. With sincere appreciation,”
“Mrs. Hilden,
Thank you for the care package. I shared the contents with airmen I’m deployed with. They really loved it. The personal cards and letters are touching and really help keep us motivated and focused on the task at hand.
Please share my thank you with your staff, all the donators, and volunteers that help fill the care packages. It truly is appreciated by the Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors away from home.”
“This has been an amazing organization to volunteer at for the past 2+ years. I believe in their mission and have wholeheartedly become a member of the team. Raven, Jeanne and other members helped to foster a loving and supportive environment that it was easy to love it from the very start.”
““We have like 600 men/women here. Mostly men.
This is just a little note to say thanks-a-million for doing what you do to spread happiness and to help Soldiers around the world (notably Iraq ) and likewise make us feel a little closer to the home we dearly love, and the Americans who we are happy to keep free. It’s an awesome blessing receiving and distributing the care packages you give, and I have the honor and privilege of divvying them out to all the troops where some of the “basic comforts” we are so used to back home, are not easily accessible. The Ladies ABSOLUTELY love the care packages that are geared to them, and men and women alike love devouring all the delicious snacks sent—we’ve had a lot of MRE’s as of late, and the packages definitely help. That said, as I’m going through the boxes and seeing the neat cards with their inscriptions, I wanted to give a special shout out to some of the people whose names grace the kind words they’ve given us. Special thanks then to: (see if some of the packers of the boxes, or makers of cards, you recognize in the attached Photo.
Alan M. Winkelstein of Temecula Lions Club
Brooke
Raven Hilden
IF I BOTCHED NAMES…it’s because they’re near impossible to read I can only assume many doctors have written cards to us hehe.””
“Great place for families to bond and put together a care package for a troop overseas. Teach your kids to volunteer and have some fun while doing it!”
“Thank you so much for your donation fo feminine products and school supplies for Nate’s Pantry at David A Brown Middle School. I appreciate your kindness.”
““I recently got a care package and I’m so grateful! This meant a lot to me and it made my week !! you are all great and keep doing great things. Thank you so much <3””
“The staff are patient, educated, willing to give of their time to help us Seniors once a month. They are my Hero’s for all they do as an organization within our community.”
— Michael Fisher
“I just want to say thank you and all the families who have sent care packages. I really appreciate the time a care that goes into the packages. They are helpful with thing I need and enjoy. I share them my fellow sailors for what they need as well. These care packages are overall uplifting to my command. Once again I love and appreciate the effort that goes into these packages. I took a picture of my wall space where I keep all my little motivations. I hope someone gets to see their card on here . Thank you very much.”
— MA2 Brandon
“Yesterday was another great day because I received my third care package from you and your company. Those days always turn the mood around here for the better. My friend, Will, also received his package and he was completely surprised and grateful. He received a letter from a mother and her children and he was very excited to write them a letter back.
We were notified that if we are to receive any more mail, it must be sent before 01JULY. After that, all mail will be returned to sender as our deployment will be ending in SEPT/OCT and mail will be shut off.
If this was our last package we receive I want to thank you again for everything you and your company does for us. Your support does not go unnoticed and you are truly making a difference to the Soldiers serving.
Take care,”
— Cody 6/19
“I am fostering a baby in an emergency situation and you have helped out so very much. Very compassionate people and Brooke has been amazing.”
“Hello my name is Joshua . I received your care packages and I can not thank you enough . The care packages we receive is like Christmas morning everyday for us . It tells us we are not forgotten about ; even though we are 8,000 miles away . It tells us that we are appreciated for being away for 10 months to a year . I thank you and so does everyone else.”
“Thank you for the great support while I was deployed, for the awesome “Welcome Home” party, and for your continued support to troops and our community.”
— TJ
“Hello from Iraq!
Thank you SO much for your care packages, it’s so very comforting to know you are all thinking of us so far from home. Ever since the American Revolution, our military has remained strong and resilient thanks to our faith communities and support organizations - we can’t thank you enough for all you do. We are located in northern Iraq. It’s very Spartan here - the base was captured by ISIS and almost completely destroyed before they were driven out. So we have no flush toilets here or hard-stand buildings - just tents and a whole lot of rocks! We have a small PX tent with a few necessities, but not much. So needless to say, your care packages really are a big hit here!”
“Hello to Everyone,
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the care package that was received. It truly means a lot to receive this from everyone who took the time to put this together. I will be returning home from deployment soon and wanted to say thank you to everyone involved. Especially to all the children who take time to color, draw, and write to the soldiers. I do believe what is sent to anyone helps them while away from home. What you all do is truly thoughtful and saying thank you is never enough. I grew up in Lake Elsinore and currently live in Menifee so I truly appreciate it.
Thank you again.”
“Merry Christmas to you. Not only for supporting my son in Belgium and husband in Iraq, but also being there for my little ones here at home. This year was tough, but because of your organization you helped me keep the spirit of Christmas going. Your organization is a major blessing to the military families!”
““I just received a package here in Iraq from your organization. Thank you SO much for the kind gifts. They are absolutely appreciated and the notes and letters are very motivating.
Thank you again!””
“A wonderful person, doing a fantastic service to our troops deployed over seas! They send out care packages to deployed troops, and getting those boxes, that is an amazing boost of morale!! Trust me, I’ve been on the receiving end of them!!! Raven also helps us fill out boxes as well with things to send out to the NOW Caregivers, of those injured, or hurt by their time in the service. An amazing person, and fantastic Non-profit indeed.”
“I help run a local nonprofit organization called JustServe as the local Temecula representative. One of the projects we’ve been working on is organizing hygiene kits and welcome home basket that benefit local homeless. Raven has been so generous in donating boxes of items to help us put those kits together. Thanks so much!!!”
““Thank you so much to you and your team for the protein shakes and other goodies that were sent. When we receive gifts like this from complete strangers, it really makes us realize we are not alone and we have people who are always thinking about us and our safety.Items such as protein shakes/bars are great for us, as many of us burn a large amount of calories during the day and rarely find the time to adequately replenish them. Not to mention they are a delicious treat.When a box like this is brought to us, no matter how bad a day someone is having, it brightens everyone day and creates an infectious buzz of lightheartedness and good vibes. It is priceless.We appreciate your support and I am thankful there are people like you and your team out there who work to make the world better every day. God Bless,””
“Got another shipment of y’alls care packages with all the protein items, cookies, snacks... incredible. Some VERY happy Soldiers here - thank you. Hope y’all are well! It’s still really rainy here...we hear from the locals that this is unusual. Who knows what summer will bring?
Bless you and your team.
Respectfully,”
“Thank you so much for the amazing care packages you sent to all of the members of the 163th SFS. Words can not express how thankful we are for all your support and the incredible goodies. You are so thoughtful and we truly appreciate everything you’re doing for all the U.S. Service Members.
I’ve been on numerous deployments throughout the years and it always feels special to receive such a thoughtful gift. It is truly heartfelt. I will always remember your support and how you brighten everyone’s spirits.”
— Michael (Kuwait)
“I wanted to reach out again and thank you for the package. I received a personal package from your company, and it came at a great time. Every time we receive mail it is a great day for us. It is especially great when I can tell the package was very well thought out and includes a lot of care and love. My package included protein shakes and bars which was awesome. I loved all of it. You had mentioned I could let you know if there are any other Soldiers that I know would like to receive a package. My good friend Will fits that description, and I know he would love to receive a package as he doesn’t get mail as often as most. He loves coffee and he often complains about running out of shaving razors constantly. I have attached a picture of Will and I from the other day. I also attached a picture of me and some of the other Soldiers I work with. We really appreciate the support from great people like you and your company. God Bless and thank you again,”
— Cody (United States Army)
